Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says 'there is no greater honor than to serve this country.'

(CNN) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that despite President Bush's low approval ratings, people will soon "start to thank this president for what he's done."

So we can sit here and talk about the long record, but what I would say to you is that this president has faced tougher circumstances than perhaps at any time since the end of World War II, and he has delivered policies that are going to stand the test of time," Rice said in an interview that aired on CBS' "Sunday Morning."

The secretary of state brushed off reports that suggest the United States' image is suffering abroad. She praised the administration's ability to change the conversation in the Middle East.

"This isn't a popularity contest. I'm sorry, it isn't. What the administration is responsible to do is to make good choices about Americans' interests and values in the long run - not for today's headlines, but for history's judgment," she said.

"And I am quite certain that when the final chapters are written and it's clear that Saddam Hussein's Iraq is gone in favor of an Iraq that is favorable to the future of the Middle East; when the history is written of a U.S.-China relationship that is better than it's ever been; an India relationship that is deeper and better than it's ever been; a relationship with Brazil and other countries of the left of Latin America, better than it's ever been ...

"When one looks at what we've been able to do in terms of changing the conversation in the Middle East about democracy and values, this administration will be judged well, and I'll wait for history's judgment and not today's headlines."

Asked by CBS' Rita Braver why some former diplomats say Americans are disliked around the world, Rice said that's "just not true."

soundoff(287 Responses)

Patty in the CA mountains

I can't think of anything to thank this man for.

There were 8 years between the first attack on the World Trade Center and 9/11.....who gets credit for those "safe" years? There were 9 months of a Bush administration prior to 9/11....whose watch did that happen on?

Ms Rice and others are attempting to re-write history.....those of us who are living through it will not forget.

December 28, 2008 05:52 pm at 5:52 pm |

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH

Two wars, over 4,000 Americans dead and 25,000 Americans wounded, Walter Reed, Katrina, highest unemployment in 26 years, borrow and spend on bridges to no where leaving the highest deficit in ever, nothing done on Social Security, Immigration, or reforming the tax code... $700,000 bailout for Wall Street ...

Cheney with his 5 excuses for not serving in Vietnam, Harriet, Rummy, Wolfie, "I don't recall" Alberto, Scooter Libby, and you're doing a heckava job, Brownie as Bush flies west for a fund raiser.

American people don't know the 1/2 of the damage that has been done to the environment, the Constitution or the country.

If Bush wants the credit for a few things done in 8 years, with a GOP Congress, then he'll have to take the blame as well.

December 28, 2008 05:54 pm at 5:54 pm |

JB

Bad intel put us in Iraq. Intel that was being disseminated by Saddam. He was attempting to scare Iran with fears of chemical weapons. This intel was being gathered by many different countries, including Russia. So, blame Bush for bad intel. Once we were in we couldn't leave. What about Libya? They are no longer a terrorist threat. And the Supreme Court stopped the counting of ballots because Gore wanted to pick and choose which counties to recount. That is illegal, as we saw in MN. So, the Supreme Court said all counties must be recounted. And, there wasn't enough time based on the timelines established. Those timelines could not be changed. So, all you closed minded people believe what you want, but these are the facts.

December 28, 2008 05:54 pm at 5:54 pm |

francine, Shannon, Quebec

Will be thanking George Bush for what he's done? I think not.

December 28, 2008 05:54 pm at 5:54 pm |

Brandon4Hillary

Cant wait for Hillary to take over Ms Rice

December 28, 2008 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |

Gerry in Va. for Obama.

Ms Rice.. I know you just adore W but you really need to rethink your idea that WE THE PEOPLE will change our minds about thinking he is the worst, most useless, piece of dung to have occupied the White House in this countries history. I know, you have to champion your boss but give it up because it won't help any. We have already made up our minds and it won't change. Not even when his little brother tries to invade the White House. A Bush is a Bush is a Bush.. WAR MONGERS TO THE END....

December 28, 2008 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |

Steven McCarthy

The only people who will thank him are those he pardoned, Osama bin Laden, the CEO's who got bailouts, and the Saudi's.

December 28, 2008 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |

JB

And the comments that you lefty's make about Bush make righty's give it right back to Obama. So, as some say, you reap what you sow.

December 28, 2008 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |

Where's the Nurenberg Commission when you need it?

Justice will not be served unless Bush is turned over to either the Iraqis or the ICJ for war crimes. Maybe they'll use the same rope they used for Saddam.

Please note: I am not advocating violence against the President. I support remanding him to the proper authorities, and letting justice be served after proper judicial procedures.

December 28, 2008 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |

John

Dunmber than I thought

December 28, 2008 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |

Mohammad

is this lady high? who is going to thank Bush?!! I think the world will celebrate the day Bush leave's office.... everyone will say, retard just left the building

December 28, 2008 05:58 pm at 5:58 pm |

Really?

There are times when just keeping your mouth shut would be best. Ms Rice, if you are reading this, I'd suggest you be careful. There are many people who are looking to lock up your boss and others. Their actions were criminal and deserve punishment.
I'm not sure how you (and Laura for that matter) look in the mirror everyday.

December 28, 2008 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |

Hydie, NY

I cannot imagine we have people in this country like 'Proud American'. This guy is a radical lefty. He likes to spill the venom everywhere. CNN should censor such unpatriotic messages. Get a life.

I will always be thankful to Condolezza rRice and in particular our president George W. Bush. This genuine proud American is safe today because of him. Thank you Mr. President and we will miss you.

December 28, 2008 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |

john

The Kool-Aid is cold this time of year. Too bad George made you abort your love child those years ago...it would have been the only part of him you could have held onto. Once he's out and people start to investigate, you and all the others will be thrown under the bus as he sits on his Parguayan estate safe from extradition.

December 28, 2008 06:03 pm at 6:03 pm |

catmom

Ms. Rice is delusional and has no clue. She should have been fired right after 9/11. Of course though Republicans have managed to make Ronald Reagan into a hero. Unfortunately a lot of the things this administration has faced is a direct result of the choices Bush and his administration have made. Most Americans understand this.

For all you Obama haters, why not give Obama the same opportunities you have given Bush for the past eight years. Why are you all trying to hold him to a different standard than you are holding Bush?

December 28, 2008 06:03 pm at 6:03 pm |

Tim

We were at war with Sadaam since the first gulf war. He repeatedly broke the cease fire terms. Bush just took care of it.

All you do good naive liberals can't stand the fact that Iraq turned out for the better and you almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Now your Messiah has to make a hard choice, and it looks like he will dissapoint you.

nice comment texas teacher....look at what israel is doing right now on Gaza...i hope god punishes the REAL terrorists of the US and Israel...that's crazy that a rigged site like CNN would post your truthful comment

December 28, 2008 06:08 pm at 6:08 pm |

curtis in WI

Time for a random drug test.....

December 28, 2008 06:08 pm at 6:08 pm |

Soo Confused

IS SHE SERIOUS ????????? SHE cannot be SERIOUS !!?!!

Did I miss something ?

December 28, 2008 06:11 pm at 6:11 pm |

virginia for obama

Like I have said before, I respect Bush because he is our President. But, to thank him for what he has none I say "No! No! No!"This country is in serious trouble why can't you see that. This mess has speaded across the world.

God Please Bless America like you once have and not only us,but other nations as well. Amen.

December 28, 2008 06:11 pm at 6:11 pm |

hilarious

DOC: so you are contrasting between bush and the prince of peace? why? we all know that only your obama is the true messiah, right?

give me a break: so, anytime you lose something, it's because someone stole it from you? i'm sure you were a sore loser at sports too, right?

thank you, secretary rice, for all your dedication and effort these past several years. your own country has often treated you unfairly, even turned on you, but you still traveled the world to defend and represent our nation. your credentials and experiences are astounding...more than i can say about certain other secretaries of state.

at least you were chosen based on background, not "ummm...i didn't choose you as my vp...ummm...a lot of people are upset...can i offer you the state department instead? are we cool now?"

December 28, 2008 06:13 pm at 6:13 pm |

23 More Days!!

Which people???

December 28, 2008 06:13 pm at 6:13 pm |

jack.florida

Wow,Thanks for going quietly.Whew what a discrace to mankind.

December 28, 2008 06:14 pm at 6:14 pm |

Anonymous

Let's make a true historical examination of the eight year of the Bush's administration and take a look on these perspective as a true American:
1) The episode of 9/11- a sudden flight of despair, as it was, which surged through every American;left most of us with a sense of national humiliation and a perpetual mood of fear of external enemy whose methods of attacks being so unpredictable and its design unthought of by the civilized world.
2)Was it not a show of ruffians of middle- ages working their way through tha dawn of 21st centuary.
3)When the nation was plunged in deep sorrow,the President came into the arena, soothed the depressive feelings of the nation and made a promise to the world that the attack would not go unpunished.This attack on us was not a revenge of the enemy for our any action. If at all, we were responsible to the enemy, we were helping the nations of the Middle East, we had acted with our best intentions to help the Israel-Palestine tangles and many more.
4)In short, this administration's actions were all positive. It brought sucess to the war of Iraq before its term, as promissed. Remember, this
action was necessary first step to bring a lasting peace in that area.